PLAINFIELD — The killing of a Plainfield taxicab driver, allegedly by a member of the Bloods gang, is "a clear sign that gang activity goes beyond the sale of illegal drugs," Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said today.

Romankow talked about the increasing harm caused by gangs as he announced the Saturday evening arrest of 19-year-old Wallace Parrish in the shooting death of Isidro Leonardo, 44, of Plainfield, a driver for United Taxi Co. in Plainfield.

Leonardo died from one shot to the head at about 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday during an attempted robbery that occurred after he responded to a call for taxi service.

Describing Parrish as a "confirmed member" of the Sex, Money, Murder sect of the Bloods, Romankow said crime by gang members "causes real and permanent harm not only to their victims, but families and the community at large."

"We continue to not only investigate this crime, but also an attempted robbery that occurred earlier the same morning involving the same taxi company," Romankow said.

Parrish is also a suspect in that robbery, Romankow said. A man fitting Parrish’s description tried to rob another cab driver, but the other driver saw him reach inside his clothing for what appeared to be a gun and "took off quickly," the prosecutor said.

Parrish, who has been charged with murder and weapons offenses, lives on West Fourth Street in Plainfield — down the street from the police station. Parrish is being held at the Union County jail in Elizabeth on $750,000 bail.

Leonardo was responding to what’s known as a "block call," Romankow said, in which the caller’s address and home phone number are not identified.

The prosecutor urged cab companies not to respond to block calls because of the associated dangers. "Cab companies should be more cautious," he said.

Also, the prosecutor said, there was no camera-linked hard drive in Leonardo’s cab, even though police had told the cab company to replace the equipment.

Leonardo is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 9 and 4.

Two brothers-in-law who attended Romankow’s news conference said the family is gratified that police have made an arrest.

"It’s a disaster," Jorge Mateo said of the killing, but added the family feels "more comfortable" since the arrest.

"We’re happy (Parrish) is not on the street doing any other crimes," Mateo said. "The police did a good job getting this bad guy."

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call task force detective Kevin Grimmer at (908) 447-3777